Fushigi Yûgi: The Mysterious Play, Vol. 3: Disciple

ふしぎ遊戯 [Fushigi Yûgi] #3

by Yuu Watase

A Beloved Fantasy From One Of Japan's Top CreatorsProlific shôjo (""girls"") comics artist Yuu Watase has created a wonderfully exciting, funny, and heartfelt tale of a normal junior-high-school girl who is transported into a fictional version of ancient China. She encounters base villains and dashing heroes, and still manages to worry about her grades and where her next banquet is coming from.

The Mysterious Disciple

Miaka Yûki is an ordinary junior high school student who is suddenly transported into the world of a book, The Universe of the Four Gods . Surrounded by enemies with mystic power, she can only rely on her Celestial Warriors and a mysterious monk, a disciple of the oracle, to help her fulfill her quest! Miaka’s best friend, Yui, also enters the book, but suffers a fate much crueler than Miaka’s.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels, Shojo, Fiction, Comics

189 pages, Paperback

First published November 26, 1992

About the author

Yuu Watase (渡瀬悠宇) is a Japanese shoujo manga-ka. She is known for her works Fushigi Yūgi, Alice 19th, Ceres: The Celestial Legend, Fushigi Yūgi Genbu Kaiden and Absolute Boyfriend. She likes all music, except heavy metal and old traditional music.

She received the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo for Ceres, Celestial Legend in 1997. Since writing her debut short story "Pajama de Ojama" ("An Intrusion in Pajamas"), Watase has created more than 80 compiled volumes of short stories and continuing series. Because of her frequent use of beautiful male characters in her works, she is widely regarded in circles[which?] as a bishōnen manga artist.[citation needed] In October 2008, Watase began her first shōnen serialization, Arata: The Legend in Weekly Shōnen Sunday.
Her name is romanized as "Yû Watase" in earlier printings of Viz Media's publications of Fushigi Yūgi, Alice 19th, and Ceres, The Celestial Legend, while in Viz Media's Fushigi Yūgi Genbu Kaiden and Absolute Boyfriend her name is romanized as "Yuu Watase". In Chuang Yi's English-language versions of Fushigi Yugi (spelled without a macron or circumflex), her name is romanized as "Yu Watase".

Reviews

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm still loving this series! The plot is moving at a steady pace as Miaka is looking for Yui, finds another celestial warrior, and we get a surprise villain! Miaka is sometimes a little too goofy for me and her mood swings are so abrupt I get whiplash. But the artwork remains gorgeous, Hotori continues to break my heart, and the plot thickens! A very fun series that leaves just enough intrigue to excite for the next volume.

[Elina Mäkitalo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jokseenkin hidastempoinen kirja. En edelleenkään osaa sanoa mielipidettä siitä, tykkäänkö vai en. Tiedän, että näissä menee aina aikaa ennenkuin päästään asiaan mutta välillä tulee tunne, että tahallaan venytetään turhaan. Itse tarina tuntuu kiehtovalta, siltä että voisin siitä ehkä pitää, mutta toisaalta en tiedä jaksanko lukea ja kuinka pitkään. Kuvat ovat aika huonot ja sekavat, eikä mustavalkoisuus auta siinä. Ei tule sellaista houkuttelevaa oloa, että pitäisi lukea kirja pelkästään niiden takia. Kuten mainitsin kakkososan arvostelussa, että mahdollisesti luen vielä viidenteen osaan asti, johon asti olen kirjat lainannut kirjastosta. Eli vielä kaksi osaa vakuuttaa minut jatkamaan sarjan lukemista sen jälkeen.

[Jolly Ann Troesch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so much fun to read though I am disappointed what happened between Miaka and Yui.

[Lau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahora si agarró ritmo otra vez! Me matan las caras graciosas de este manga, es la reina del comic relief.

Qué sería de las historias si las protagonistas no se metieran voluntariamente en cuanto problema pueden, no?
Me encanta Chichiri, por cierto.

No esperaba/recordaba que encontraran a Yui tan rápido. Sólo me quedé con lo que muestran que le pasó pobrecita. Qué cargo de conciencia para Miaka además, sos cruel Yuu Watase!

Cuando lo leí de adolescente me gustaba más Tamahome para Miaka, pero ahora ya de señora mayor más grande prefiero a Hotohori, siempre la trató muy bien y la quiere bien. Cómo cambia la cabeza.

[chelci whorley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story involves Miaka and Yui, two best friends who get sucked into a book. Pretty much every readers dream, right? Once thrown into the book though, they become enemies and have to gather their own warriors to help return home and fix their lives. Along the way Miaka grows with her warriors and learns love. It’s truly an adventure for all! I loved this story, it was the perfect balance of action, romance, and comedy.

Check out my blog below for a longer review
https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/6073...

[Hailley Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting to realize with this re-read I like Genbu Kaiden a lot more than. The pacing is better, the art is better, and the characters are more likable. But still giving it 5 stars because it was my favourite as a teen and there is the nostalgia factor.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still liking this. Had to go ahead and order the next volumes right away so I could continue reading the series.

[Supermomochan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh...might try one more volume, but I think I outgrew this series.

[Bee (BacchusVines) · Rating 3 out of 5]

My most favorite character was introduced (Chichiri!) and the rivalry of Miaka and Yui begin!

I miss reading the earlier chapters. After book six, everything begins to hurt.

[Raygun ∆ Gothic · Rating 3 out of 5]

People keep saying babe and it's 90's hilarious.

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 4 out of 5]

High 4 stars. Poor Yui.

[Anna-Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 Sterne

[Tamikan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Things that made me cringe and/or eye roll:
-the picture of Yui with long hair and the caption "she cut it off because she was getting too much attention from boys."
-Chichiri's comment to Nuriko about being a cross-dresser
-Tamahome. Miaka. TAMAHOME! MIAKA! engrained in my soul for all of time
-Miaka for not just explaining why she was gone three months and actually talking to Yui
-Yui in general this collection. Like OMG, I know bad stuff happened to you, but you are a shitty friend that lets a stupid boy (character in a book!) destroy a 10-year friendship!
-And all the puns and jokes that are lost in the translation

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this series around this time last year and the only reason I stopped was because there was so many new book releases to distract me! After reading the first two volumes, I sort of forgot how much I was enjoying it.

This volume pulled me right back into the action of this series. I love Miaka as a main character, she's funny, tough and has the same love for food as me. However, Yui is driving me INSANE. I can understand she's had a hard time lately, but alienating the only person who cares about her in this world? Nah. I hope she comes to her senses soon and realizes Miaka is her friend!

[Rei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg but such a good friend Yui, isn't she? now everybody is in love with Tamahome!

[✮Octjillery✮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoping this plotline with Yui isn't one that goes on forever. She saw Tamahome for .00746 seconds one time and she also likes him? Okay.

[Lemoona · Rating 5 out of 5]

NO. JUST A BIG. FAT. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
WHY. JUST WHY? THEY HAD SUCH A GOOD FRIENDSHIP!

Crying aside, this is devastating. Why do the priestesses of Suzaku and Seiryuu have to oppose one another?! Just help your own nations separately! Can’t we not do without a fking war FOR ONCE?

THAT ASIDE, POOR YUI! I CAN’T EVEN BE MAD AT HER FOR BEING JEALOUS ABOUT TAMAHOME AND MISUNDERSTANDING MIAKA BECAUSE SHE WAS RAPED!! And she had to bear that pain alone for three months waiting for Miaka to save her, only to find out that Miaka cared more about some guy than her! To be honest, I think they both could have dealt with the situation in a more mature way, but considering they are middle schoolers, it would make sense that Yui would turn the blame on Miaka. Actually, how can she not be mad? No 15-year-old girl should ever have to go through what Yui went through. Her jealousy isn’t for Tamahome. It’s for Miaka. She is sad she lost her friend to Tamahome (which is sort of a misunderstanding) and her small affection for him has turned into a “I AM GOING TO STEAL HIM FROM YOU TO MAKE YOU SUFFER FOR NOT CARING ENOUGH!” To be honest, I can’t be mad at Yui at all. Miaka should have cared more about what could’ve happened to her friend alone in three months rather than just caring about her separation from Tamahome. I know she couldn’t have known and Yui also wronged her by going against her, but still. I think I would be more concerned about my best friend of years than a guy I just met no more than three months ago. However, I still think Yui misunderstood to some extent. Miaka went as far as to shake Tamahome off in order to look for Yui alone! I know she didn’t want to trouble Tamahome, but she was willing to put herself in danger to find her friend! And Yui WAS one of the reasons Miaka came back. But, considering that poor Yui was violated in the way she was, I don’t think she can think clearly. I hope they both realize that their issues for one another are because they care too much about the other. It’s not about some guy (no shade to Tamahome)!

I feel like problems between friends that involve a guy aren’t really about the guy, but about how much they care about each other. If they really loved each other enough, the guy wouldn’t even be an issue! I think it was noble of Miaka to try to stay away from Tomohome because she thinks Yui “loves” him, but that’s not the problem! Also, it’s not his fault! Why should he be avoided? I may not be making sense here, but I know Yui doesn’t truly love Tamahome, and Miaka thinking that Tamahome is part of the problem is a PROBLEM. Yui is upset with Miaka. She has just been raped and her only friend didn’t show enough care when she needed to. THAT is the real problem. It is between Yu and Miaka. God, I am so stressed about this. Female friendships can be so fragile, can’t they? But then again, when faced with pain like Yui’s, which I can never imagine because I’ve never been there, I can’t judge how she should or should not act. If she feels it’s right to terminate the friendship, maybe that’s because she really needs some time away from other people, or maybe that’s her way of healing. I really like Yui, so I hope she gets over this great obstacle, and I hope Miaka realizes what Yui is truly mad about and properly makes it up to her!

What a ramble. Did you catch any of that? Because I didn’t. I need volume four but I don’t own it and neither does the nearest Barnes and Noble, I don’t think. Checking won’t hurt though, right?

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today's post is on Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play, Volume 3: Disciple by Yuu Watase. It is 189 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has the two main characters on it facing the reader. The intended reader is someone who likes historical fantasy, high fantasy, romance, and shojo stories. There is mild foul language, mild sexuality, and violence in this story. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The Mysterious Dicsiple
Miaka Yuki is suddenly spirited into the world of a book. The Universe of the Four Gods. Surrounded by enemies with mystic power, she can only rely on her Celestial Warriors and a mysterious monk, a disciple of the oracle, to help her fulfill her quest! Miaka's best friend, Yui, also enters the book, but suffers a fate much crueler than Miaka's.

Review- We pick up right where the last volume left off with Miaka disappearing in front of Tamahome but it was Chichiri another Warrior of Suzaku. Miaka is in great danger now because the kingdom of Qu-Dong, the kingdom of Seiryu, is hunting for her now. But Miaka is more concerned with her missing friend Yui, who has disappeared into the book also. We get a lot of plot movement in this volume with some added character development but not too much of that. Yui is the priestess of Seiryu and she believes that Miaka has abandoned her. But there is someone else who is pulling Yui's strings and I think that the real villain is one of the Warriors of Seiryu. He is controlling what Yui sees and he is pulling her towards something but we did not see much of him. But Miaka and Tamahome have a problem with being in love with each other and Yui having a crush on Tamahome herself; all the Drama! But I am invested in this story and characters and I cannot wait to continue traveling with them.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

[✨Samantha Lopez✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading Volume 3 I decided to listen to some of the songs that the author recommend. Sadly, I couldn't find any of them, however, I did find one named 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓 and the name of the song was 𝑭𝒂𝒓 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒚. I definitely felt like this song was a connection to the five consolation in the book of the four gods and not to mention the song had 80's bop to it. Thank god that I have Spofity cuz I also found the music cover to 𝑭𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒊 𝒀𝒖̂𝒈𝒊 and played it while reading and oh boy when I got to that part where Yui is getting the Scroll of the legend of the four gods. I played Yui's song 𝑰 𝑊𝑖𝑠ℎ. What a heartbreaking song it is! Especially when I translate it to English. Breaks my heart whenever I listen to it. I can't believe the time difference between the book and Miaka's world. Not to mention finding out what happened to Yui I mean it was also mentioned in the tv show. I don't like the fact how she mentions that she's in love with Tomahome. I mean, that girl has Nako guy. So, annoyed with him at this point. Overall, I'm really enjoying reading this tale of the four gods and a Priestess.

[Bibliothecat · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Review for complete series



I am actually really sad and disappointed. Fushigi Yuugi was that one classic shoujo fantasy that I never got around to reading even though I was convinced I would love it. I love Watase's art - this is an older work and the art is a tad dated, but it's perfectly lovely. It's a portal fantasy quest story with Chinese lore and it's not ridiculously long like many of its peers (I'm looking at you Inu Yasha and Yona of the Dawn). Eighteen volumes seemed like the perfect length and there was just no way I wasn't going to love this. It turns out that this manga has some of the worst pacing I have ever come across.

At its core, the story is pretty straight forward: Miaka is your normal school girl who comes by a magic book, gets pulled into an ancient fantasy world and is sent on a quest to collect items that will help her save the world she's in. For this, she needs to pull together some preordained set of warriors who fight by her side. Of course she falls in love with one of them and there's the big drama or which world she will end up staying in. All of this is pretty standard in this type of portal fantasy but that's exactly what I am here for. So while the premise isn't hugely unique, it's definitely not the problem I had with this story.

The first couple of volumes were insta-everything. I'm not just talking about Miaka and Tamahome falling madly in love from volume one, all other relationships are established in the same way. Yui, Miaka's best friend, is also in love with Tamahome from the moment they meet. The emperor is in love with Miaka from before they meet. All allies join their ranks effortlessly and they become best buddies just because. There's no real effort in recruiting any of the characters nor even finding them. Part of the whole point of this quest was to find these characters yet they just sometimes stumble into a scene, introducing themselves and declaring they're part of the gang and are already set to join them on a quest - no questions asked. It was so extreme that I don't think the last two characters added to the group were given much of a personality and were completely forgettable.

The problem with tossing these characters together like that is that there are no real developments. They say they all love and care for each other but, as far as I am concerned, I can't really believe them. If I see characters get to know each other, grow and form bonds, I will care for them. If they just pop out of the blue and risk limb and life for each other I feel there is something sorely lacking. I can't invest into friendships or romances that just kind of happened without any development whatsoever.

The plot becomes continuously more dark and a lot of deaths and loss occur. I'd normally feel something for these characters by that point but everything feels so over the top dramatic given what it is all based on. The pacing did improve quite a bit halfway through the series and the last couple of volumes were over all well-paced. The problem is that the damage was already done - the characters grew on me to some extent and while their actions and motifs became more believable, it still didn't do away with how wishy-washy their starting point was.

I also need to dedicate a paragraph to Yui - I feel no sympathy for her whatsoever. I don't care if she was manipulated, her actions were shallow and selfish. She blames Miaka for things she didn't do and sets heaven and hell loose just to get an uncalled for revenge. It's such a shame because I liked Yui's character in the second arc but yet again, it was already ruined by how she acted in the first arc. I'm not saying a character can't redeem themselves, Yui did do her part to earn forgiveness. The problem is that her anger and bitterness was completely misplaced and out of proportion.

I am not saying that this is a bad manga. I do think that a lot of people who like this are driven by nostalgia and I think I would have liked it a lot more had it also been one of my first manga. But after years of manga reading, this just doesn't deliver emotionally what I would expect of a good fantasy manga. The art is its strongest point, the characters are nice but they were never given the time they needed to grow. I don't think that eighteen volumes was too short, I just think that Watase priorities the wrong things over proper character and relationship development. I am not even sure what I am going to do with my copies - it's a good chunk of eighteen volumes taking up shelf space and somehow I don't see myself reading it again. Yet there's a part of me that just really wants to like this - but of course, wanting to like something and actually liking it are not the same thing. I think it will ultimately depend on how much I like its prequel Genbu Kaiden - I expect it to be a better work as it was written later and Watase has already proven in other works and in Fushigi Yuugi's second arc that she can write a properly paced story.

[♡Kayla♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The twists! This series got a lot more serious than I expected, not to say it lost it's strange, yet charming, comedic timing though.

We finally find Yui... just for everything to sour immediately. Honestly, if Yui and Miaka were such great friends, you'd think they'd at least try to talk everything out beforehand. I guess it wouldn't be as dramatic that way though haha.

Tamahome has grown on me exponentially this volume. He's actually really sweet and endearing. I still think Hotohori is the hottest guy established so far though, but that's probably just my personal bias for long haired bishies shining through lmao

[Zennica Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s heartbreaking, isn’t it? Yui’s journey in Fushigi Yuugi is incredibly tragic and layered. Her descent into the role of an antagonist is shaped by a series of misunderstandings and deeply traumatic experiences, especially the betrayal she perceives from Miaka and her own suffering, including the SA incident.

Yui’s kindness and genuine care for Miaka before everything unraveled show how much she valued their friendship. Unfortunately, the combination of emotional pain, manipulation by Nakago, and her sense of betrayal turned her into someone unrecognizable, even to herself.

[Pittoresque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hah, DAS wars woran ich mich erinnert hatte. In Band 3 bewegt sich die Geschichte etwas weiter weg von einer heilen Märchenwelt, es tauchen düstere Charaktere auf, dunklere Emotionen kochen hoch, und unheilvolle Ereignisse treten ein...und noch viel unheilvollere werden ihre Schatten voraus. Und Chichiri ist jetzt mit von der Partie - yay!

[Aikazen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miaka and Yui, two best friends, are pulled into a mysterious book where they become rivals, each assembling warriors to find a way home. Along the way, Miaka discovers love and friendship. This thrilling mix of action, romance, and comedy made the story truly unforgettable—I loved it!

[Fernanda Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olvidenlo, es en este tomo donde todo se pone intenso e interesante.

Justo cuando veía el anime, en toda esta serie de sucesos fue cuando pensé "esto ya se puso serio". De verdad no puedo expresar lo emocionada que estaba y enganchada que me quedaba con cada episodio.
Leerlo ahora en el manga me recuerda lo mucho que necesito un Tamahome en mi vida.

[Lore · Rating 4 out of 5]

OOOh very interesting.
Miaka gets a new friend: Chichiri, who's very silly and I immediately adore him.
We find Yui! She's in very interesting company and so her part of the story adds to the drama.
And the plot thickens!

[Illy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread. Such a classic. love it

[Inah Solacito · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️

[✨Sky✨ ♏ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can understand where Yui is coming from. So far, the story is fine except for all the touchy stuff between Miaka and Tamahome. There is such a thing as too much hugging.